Ski tow vehicles

ABSTRACT

A platform preferably provided with upwardly curved ends is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced rows of transversely spaced posts, the posts of each row having handrails or ropes engaging them. The platform is adapted to be pulled by a cable or the like and is capable of carrying a large number of skiers with their skis on up a ski slope.

I United States Patent 1 3,576,315 1 [72] Inventor Marvin H. Greene 1,203,821 10/1916 Wampler 105/344 38 Clove Road, Monroe, NY. 10950 1,563,855 12/1925 Held 280/18X [2]] Appl. No. 831,884 2,207,043 7/1940 Weiss l05/354X Filed Junel0,1969 FOREIGN PATENTS [451 Patented 1971 a 20,420 2/1913 Great Britain 280/150(B) 205,743 9/1939 Switzerland 280/12 [54] SKI TOW VEHICLES Primary Examinerl(enneth H. Betts 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs. Assistant Examiner-Winston H. Douglas 52 us. Cl 280/8, Atmeklrank Ledenm 280/18 [51] Int. Cl B62b 13/06, 3621 3100 A platform preferably provided with upwardly 344; 280/8, l2, l3, 150 curved ends is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced rows of transversely spaced posts, the posts of each [56] References Cited row having handrails or ropes engaging them. The platform is UNITED STATES PATENTS adapted to be pulled by a cable or the like and is capable of 768,896 8/1904 Fleischman 105/344 carrying a large number of skiers with their skis on up a ski 1,103,619 7/1914 OShaughnessy 280/19 1 slope.

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' PATENTED mz'nsnE INVEN'TOR. MARVIN H. GREENE ATTORNEY Q I Q SKI TOW VEHICLES Transportation of skiers with their skis on from the bottom to the top of a ski slope has heretofore been accomplished either by means of a chair lift, gondola or their equivalents wherein the skier is transported through the air, or by means of a tow wherein the skier is pulled up the slope while he slides on his own skis.

In the case of the present invention, however, the skiers with their skis on stand on a platform which is pulled up the slope while they hold on to handrail or their equivalent, and

the platform is capable of carrying a large number of skiers in a single ascent.

Referring briefly to the accompanying drawing, FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a ski tow vehicle wherein the bottom surface thereof is smooth.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

' FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a vehicle which is otherwise similar to that of FIG. 1 but which is provided with runners underneath.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a vehicle which also is similar to that of FIG. 1 except that it is provided with wheels on the bottom thereof.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 10 designates a platform preferably having upwardly curved ends 1 I each of which is provided with means for securing a cable, chain, rope or the like thereto, such as, for example, a hole 12.

Longitudinaily spaced rows 13 of posts 14 are secured to andextend upward from the platform 10 between the ends 11. The posts may be secured to the platform in any desired manner; for example, in the case of a steel platform, they may be welded thereto, not shown.

Connecting the posts of each row 13 are horizontally extending connecting members 15 such as, for example, ropes, rods or rails, adapted to be held on to by passengers standing on the platform. The bottom surface of the platform I0 is smooth, as is apparent from FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a platfonn 100 which is identical to that of FIG. 1 except that it is additionally provided with a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinal runners 16 which, during longitudinal movement of the platform, tend to maintain a straight path.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a platform 10b which also is identical to the platform 10 except that it is provided on its underside with wheels to facilitate its passage over ground having an insufficient layer of snow on it for frictionless passage of a platform such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. A plurality of axle-supporting members are shown consisting of pairs of opposed depending brackets 17 supporting axles 18 on which wheels l9 are mounted. The transversely aligned pairs of wheels are arranged equidistantly spaced from the longitudinal edges of the platform.

Iclaim:

l. A ski tow vehicle consisting of a platform on which skiers are adapted to stand with their skis on,-said platform having upwardly curved end portions provided with means for securing a cable or the like thereto, longitudinally spaced transverse rows of posts extending upward from said platform and positioned between said end portions, the posts of said rows of posts being spaced from each other, horizontally extending connecting members connected to the posts of each of said rows, and the top of said platform having no other upstanding attached structure.

2. A ski tow vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said platform has a smooth bottom surface.

3. A ski tow vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said platform has transversely spaced longitudinal runners on the underside thereof.

4. A ski tow vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said platform has a plurality of equidistantly longitudinally spaced pairs of transversely aligned axle-supporting members, axles supported in said last-named members, and wheels mounted on said axles. 

1. A ski tow vehicle consisting of a platform on which skiers are adapted to stand with their skis on, said platform having upwardly curved end portiOns provided with means for securing a cable or the like thereto, longitudinally spaced transverse rows of posts extending upward from said platform and positioned between said end portions, the posts of said rows of posts being spaced from each other, horizontally extending connecting members connected to the posts of each of said rows, and the top of said platform having no other upstanding attached structure.
 2. A ski tow vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said platform has a smooth bottom surface.
 3. A ski tow vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said platform has transversely spaced longitudinal runners on the underside thereof.
 4. A ski tow vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said platform has a plurality of equidistantly longitudinally spaced pairs of transversely aligned axle-supporting members, axles supported in said last-named members, and wheels mounted on said axles. 